Community has always mattered – but in today’s world, I think it matters more than ever. That’s why, last month, I hosted a Community Day at the Langley Avenue Sports Field and BASIC Life Café in Felixstowe.
The aim was simple – to bring people together in a friendly, welcoming setting, and to introduce families to the advice, support and services that can offer help if they are ever in need- all while having a bit of fun. And what a brilliant afternoon it was.
With support from local and national businesses, we served up over 150 free hot dogs and burgers (thanks to Lidl), gave our over £300 worth of brand new school uniform basics (thanks to Tesco and Morrisons), and a free bouncy castle (kindly paid for by Sizewell C). There were games, sweets, and lots of friendly conversations – a real celebration of everything that makes a community stronger when it pulls together. Hundreds of local families, as well as older people and younger residents all came out and joined in. One family told me it was nice to be able to join in a community fun day without having to worry about saying no to their kids because they couldn’t afford it, as everything was free. That really touched me.
I’m so grateful to the local charities and volunteers who made the day possible – including Citizens Advice East Suffolk, Felixstowe Relief Charity, DAS East Suffolk, Level Two Youth Project, Pitstop, Felixstowe Lifeboat, Edible Felixstowe, Newtide Homes, and so many others – whose presence offered important advice and support to residents and helped turn a fun day into something truly meaningful.
Events like this matter. They create space for connection, bring people into contact with services they might not otherwise have known about, and remind us of the strength and kindness already present in our communities.
Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a fantastic afternoon.
As ever, if you need support, or wish to raise an issue, please do get in touch.
📧 jenny.riddellcarpenter.mp@parliament.uk
📞 01394 330260
🌐 www.jennyforsuffolkcoastal.org
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